Automatic key duplicating machine



Dec. 3, 1968 CASEY ET AL 3,413,892

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V Z a United States Patent 3,413,892 AUTOMATIC KEY DUPLICATING MACHINEWilliam E. Casey, Chicago, and Herman L. Seiden, Skokie, Ill., assignorsto Vend-A-Key Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of DelawareFiled Nov. 3, 1966, Ser. No. 591,802 15 Claims. (Cl. 9013.05)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An automatic key duplicating machine isdisclosed of the type having a key-cutting cycle in which an automaticvise closes to clamp a key element during the duplicating operation andopens thereafter to release the key element at the conclusion of thecycle, wherein there is incorporated a vise, structure, control circuitsand instrumentalities, and an automatic gauging mechanism having aholddown device moveable to selectively pre-set starting positions closeto the key element to engage, urge and hold the latter in a properposition in the vise while it is still open but without excessive force,the presetting movements being controlled by gauge signals from a sourcesuch as the disclosed mechanism for dispensing key elements from groupshaving different characteristic dimensions of the type alluded to.

This invention relates to automatic key duplicating machines, andparticularly, but not by limitation, the type which is adapted tocoin-controlled operation in conjunction with blank dispensing apparatusadapted, on deposit of suitable coins, to dispense a key blank matchingthe patrons key which is to be duplicated, such blank and patrons keybeing seized by dual vise mechanism for the duration of an automaticcutting cycle triggered responsive to placement of the respective keyelements in the vises in consequence of which a rotary cutter is causedto trace the pin or code notches in the patrons key and duplicate thecuts in the blank.

In order for such machines to perform consistently and produce work-ableduplicates of the original key, the latter and the key blank must beproperly seated in the vise means. carelessness on the part of thepatron in inserting the original key and blank in the machine forautomatic seizure by the vise means, such as failure to insert eitherkey element fully into its receptacle, tilting either key element, andinattentively inserting the original or specimen key while it isattached to a ring, chain, or case of keys in a way to apply leverageand imbalance at the head of the key, are all comm-on sources of failureof automatic key duplicating machines to perform properly, and alleliminated by the present disclosures as the result of provision ofmeans for signalling a certain dimensional characteristic of the keybody to the automatic vise means to preset the latter accordingly inadvance of closure of the vises and the commencement of the cuttingcycle, whereby certain hold-down gauges are enabled to apply safely aneffective force upon each key element deposited in the vises to positionthe same properly pending closure of the vise jaws prior to initiationof the cutting cycle.

Additional features distinguishing the disclosed improvements relate tothe provision of cycling, supervisory and gauging circuits operativelycorrelated to require the proper placement of matching original andblank key elements in the vises in a predetermined order and position asrequisites to each initiation of a cutting cycle; to the provision ofmechanism for dispensing key blanks having different shapes and certaindiffering dimensional characteristics, and means for signalling to thecutting mechanism the particular characteristic of any blank which hasbeen dispensed whereby to preset a gauge head to prepare the PatentedDec. 3, 1968 "ice same in certain respects to receive and seize suchblank, as well as the corresponding specimen or master key which thecutting mechanism is to duplicate; to the provision of a, vise mechanismhaving dual movable jaws yieldingly actuated in synchronous closing andopening action by means of screw shafts jointly driven by a reversiblemotor means through spring-relief coupling rneans adapted to account fordifferential loading resulting from possible differences in thethickness of the two key bodies, for example, in the event the master orspecimen key has been worn thin, or cutting particles have lodged on thevise jaws, and so on.

Still further aspects of novelty and utility characterizing theinvention relate to the provision of a highly compact cutting-headcapable of consistently accurate performance in programmed or inautomatic operation by unskilled individuals, such as will patronize thecoin-controlled form of the apparatus, together with key-blankidentifying and dispensing apparatus and control circuit means foroperation with the coin-controlled form of the apparatus, and details ofstructural and functional novelties inherent in the preferred embodimentthereof described hereinafter in view of the annexed drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation of the cutting head with vises shown inopen condition and the gauging head or carrier lowered to the stand-byposition;

FIGURE1-A is a fragmentary top plan view of the dual vise means seenalong lines 1A1-A of FIGURE FIGURE 2 is a side elevation looking alonglines 2--2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an opposite side elevation looking in the direction of lines3-3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a rear elevation of the cutting unit or head with thegauging carrier similarly lowered to standby position, as in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is another front elevation showing the vise jaws closed and thegauging head fully elevated, as during the cutting cycle;

FIGURE 6 is a section with parts shown in elevation taken along lines6--6 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective detail of one of the holddown members;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective detail of one of the keyactuated vise triggerswith parts separated;

FIGURE 9 is a frontal perspective of a key blank dispenser;

FIGURE 10 is a top plan view of the device of FIG- URE 9;

FIGURE 11 is a side elevation of the dispenser of FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 12 is a bottom plan view of the dispenser of FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 13 is a pictorial functional schematic illustrative of theoperation of the coin-controlled form of the apparatus;

FIGURE 14 is a circuit diagram.

The cutting unit, as seen in FIGURE 2, comprises a sloping pedestalcasting 20 upon which is secured, as at 21, a lower base casting 23having a. forward shelf 24 (FIGURE 1 also) and a rearward flange 25 uponwhich are respectively bolted the footings 26A and 27A of a pair ofupright legs or columns in the form of castings 26 and 27 joined attheir upper ends by a cross member 28 to form the framework for avertical slideway for a reciprocable overhead carrier casting 36, alsoreferred to as the gauge head or gauge carrier, which is guided, as atcarrier slide bosses 33, upon a pair of vertical slide rods 31, 32 eachrespectively situated adjacent one of the columns or legs 26, 27, as inthe front view of this arrangement seen in FIGURE 1, wherein it will befurther observed that the left-hand margin of the carrier fits into avertical slideway (FIGURES 2 and 5 also) arranged as part of theleft-hand column or leg structure 27.

The carrier 36 has mounted thereon certain key-gauging hold-downinstrumentalities and actuating mechanism therefor, as will appear morefully hereinafter, and is vertically reciprocable under the drivingeffort of a reversible electric carrier motor 38, FIGURES 3 and 4,equipped with an attached reduction gear means 38A having an outputpinion 39 meshing with a long gear rack 40 aflixed at the left-hand sideof the carrier as seen in FIGURE 1 or the right-hand side when viewedrearwardly as in FIGURE 4. In FIGURE 2 the carrier 36 is shown in alowered standby position, whereas in FIG URE 6 it is shown withdrawn tothe fully elevated position occupied during the cutting operation. Fromthe latter positions, the carrier can occupy any of three loweredhold-down positions determined by signals from the blank dispensingmeans.

Situated on the forward base shelf 24 at the front of the unit, asviewed in FIGURES 1 and 1A, is a dual key vise assembly comprising firstand second fixed vise jaws or posts 41, 41A and corresponding first andsecond companion bearing posts 42, 42A, respectively paired to journalcoaxially-aligned first and second worm screw shafts 43, 43A.

A first movable vise jaw 44 is screw-threaded to travel on the shaft 43and a second such jaw 44A travels on the other worm shaft 43A. Fast oneach of the worm shafts 43, 43A are corresponding driven gears 45, 45Aeach exposed through a slot in the forward shelf 24 for drivingengagement with a corresponding driving gear 46, 46A therebelow, thelatter driving gears each floating freely on a drive shaft 47 journalledon the base casting as at 48, 48A, and having secured thereon two springhubs 49, 49A each carrying a corresponding torsion relief spring 50,50A, the respective ends of each of which engage in the hubs supportingthem and in the hubs of the appertaining driving gears 46, 46A wherebyto yieldingly couple the latter with said drive shaft 47 in order thatany load differential at the two vises shall not damage the vise drivingmechanism, as otherwise might be the case, for example, if a key blankdoes not match in blade thickness the specimen key as when the latter isworn very thin or is twisted from usage or possibly cocked in the vise.

Means for reversely rotating the driving shaft 47 to open and close thevises comprises, FIGURES 1 and 3, a large intermediate gear 54journalled at one side of the base casting and driven by the outputpinion 55 of a reduction gear unit forming part of a reversible visemotor 57, the drive shaft of which has a brake disc 58 secured thereonand engaged and stopped by a spring-driven brake shoe 59 which iswithdrawn by energization of a brake solenoid 60 governed by controlcircuitry to be described and effective to release and apply the brakeat the beginning and end of each cutting cycle, as will appear morefully hereafter.

When the vise motor 57 is energized to drive in one or the otherdirection, the two movable vise jaws 44, 44A will be shifted incorresponding opening or closing displacements relative to theirrespective stationary jaws 41, 41A through the agency of the describedduplicate gear trains 45, 46, 47, 49, 50, 54, 55, the energization ofthe vise motor being further governed in each cutting cycle, in a mannerelsewhere described, by limit switches 120, 121, 122, situatedadjacently on the base casting and actuated by trip pins 52 and 53 onthe intermediate vise gear 54.

As viewed from the side in FIGURE 2 and from the rear in FIGURE 4, thekey cutting means on the cutting head comprises a rotatable cutting disc61 fast on the shaft 62 of a cutter motor 64 secured on a table casting66 pivotally supported for rocking motion on trunnions 67 which are partof a slide bed casting 68 glidingly supported partly on a horizontalguide rod 69 and partly along its side flanges 70 of the slide bedcasting which glide on the main base casting.

Beneath the rear of the motor table is a compression spring 73 whichrocks the table forward to dispose the cutting wheel yieldingly in alowered position for advance against the nose of the key blank instarting the cut. The upper portions of the cutting wheel are shroudedby a safety shield 95 fixed as at 95A on projections from the motortable.

Alfixed along the lower side of the bed casting flange is a horizontalgear rack 74, FIGURE 2, meshing with the output drive pinion 75 of thereduction gear unit of a reversible table motor 76 affixed at the sideof the main base casting to shift the cutter table fore and aft towardand away from the vise mechanism 41 44, etc. and the key elementssecured therein.

At the rear of the base casting, FIGURES 2 and 4, is a table-returnlimit switch 77 having an actuating arm 77A engaged by an adjustable pin66P carried at the rear of the bed casting flange 66, such that when themotor drives the table or cutting head assembly to the limit of itsrearward travel back to its normal starting position, the limit switchwill open the motor circuit for that direction of its reversible drive.

Similarly, at the front of the base casting, FIGURES l and 2, there isprovided a forward table limit switch 78 in a corresponding energizingcircuit for the table motor to be actuated by a button 68B at the end ofthe slide bed casting situated to engage the actuating arm 78A of thisswitch through a hole 23H in the main base casting when the motor hasshifted the table to the limit of permitted forward or cutting travel,and setting up part of a circuit for returning the table to its rearwardposition.

Means for guiding the cutting wheel in key-cutting operation comprises(FIGURE 5) a depending stylus finger 96 disposed in alignment above theleft-hand (master) key vises 41, 44, in positions such that the bottomedge of the stylus engages in the code or pin notches of the specimen ormaster key KM-, clamped in the said vise means, as the cutter tableadvances, for example, from right to left in FIGURE 6, so that the tableand therefore the cutting wheel 61 will trace out the identical codenotch pattern on the blank key -KB, the cutter table 66 pivoting up anddown on trunnions 67 conformably with the up and down tracing movementsof the stylus as it moves along the notches of the master key.

The selectively pre-set gauging means carried on thevertically-reciprocable carrier head 36 comprises, as in FIGURE 1, apair of vertically-reciprocable plungers 81, 82 slidable in bossedslideways 83, formed as part of a forward shelf 37 integral with thecarrier casting 36, and respectively aligned with one of the key visestherebelow, as in FIGURE 2. At their upper ends these plungersrespectively have pin and slot connections 85 with one end of acorresponding bell crank 86 or 86A, the opposite ends of which areprovided with cam rollers 87 respectively riding on the configured rimsof a gauge control cam 88 fixed on the output shaft 89 of a reductiongear means 90 forming part of a reversible gauge motor 91 affixed at therear of the carrier casting, as in FIGURES 2 and 4, the reverse drivingoperations of which will control the raising and lowering of the pair ofplungers in any of the three gauging positions of the head signalled bythe blank-dispensing apparatus. A spring 93 acting on the cranks urgesthe plungers normally upward.

At their lower ends the aforesaid gauging plungers are each equippedwith an elongated metal gauge and holddown block 81F or 82F, FIGURES 2,3, respectively dis posed so as to lie in lengthwise alignment with thelong upper edges of the master and blank key blades secured in the Wisestherebelow with said upper edges exposed for such hold-down engagement.Each gauge block has a relatively resilient shoe 815 or 828 respectivelyafiixed to the key-engaging faces thereof (FIGURE 7) to cushion thehold-down pressure which the plungers will apply to the key elements.However, the shoes 81S and 828 have differing degrees of resiliency, theformer being adapted to engage the original or master key and thetumbler notchings therein, and accordingly this shoe is of a relativelysofter material containing rubber or equivalent compressibly-yieldablematerial which can press into the notches, while the shoe 823 whichengages the flat edge of the blank is relatively harder and will be madeof neoprene or the like. (See also FIGURE 7.)

In addition to the foregoing hold-down gauging means, the gauging heador carrier is equipped with a pair of supervisory vise witches 100, 100Arespectively associated with the master key vise and blank vise, FIGURES1 and 2, and respectively affixed to the underside of the forward shelf37 above each vise in alignment with a corresponding trigger plate 101or 102 carried at the forward end of a sliding block 103 on said shelf,FIGURES 2, 8, slidably supported in part on a rod 104 and a set ofslideway plates 105 afiixed to the underside of said shelf adjacent thecorresponding switch, the latter in each instance having a spring-urgedactuating button 106 engaged by the trigger plate 101 or 102 of thecorresponding block assembly to actuate the switch when thecorresponding trip plate is pushed inwardly upon insertion of thecorresponding master key or blank, as the case may be, the shoulder stopof which will bear against the trip plate when the key is pre:sed fullyinto the entrance slot atforded by the open vise.

Thus, it is required that both key elements be fully and properlyinserted for alignment with the corresponding vise jaws and hold-downseating before the vise jaws close, the aforesaid supervisory SWitchesbeing connected in control circuits, as will appear, to preventinitiation of the cutting cycle until the keys are properly inserted inrespect to the depth of entry thereof, as by said trip plates, thesubsequent action of the hold-down shoes and plungers being a furtherand forcible positioning means to the same ends.

A system of supervisory limit and cycling switches controls the motor upand down gauging and standby positioning of the gauge head 36, includinga set of four control cams 110A, 110B, 110C, 1101), all fixed on thedrive shaft 89 of the gauge motor 91, as in FIGURES 2, 4, 6, and 13.

Carried on a bracket 112 which is part of the carrier casting, FIGURE 2,is a battery of cam cycle switches 114A, 114B, 114C, 114D, each havingan actuating member aligned with the corresponding one of the cyclingcams 110A D for actuation by the latter during reverse rotation of thecam motor in actuating the holddown means, said cycle switches beingconnected in a cycle control circuit to be described.

A set of four gauge limit switches, 116A, 116B, 116C, 116D, is provided,as in FIGURE 3, in fixed positions on the base casting beneath arearwardly projecting finger bracket 119, which may be an integral partof the carrier casting 36, there being four switch actuating fingers117A, 117B, 117C, 117D adjustably threaded into said projecting bracket,each in overlying alignment with the actuating button of a correspondingone of said gauge limit switches, it being observed that each saidswitch finger is adjusted to a vertical position to engage itscorresponding switch-actuating button at a certain vertical position ofthe gauge carrier or head to break the carrier motor circuit on reachingsuch position cooperatively with other circuit controls to be described.The first, second and third of these gauge limit switches are connectedin a gauging circuit to be effective in response to a corresponding sizesignal from a black dispensing means, while the fourth such limit switchgoverns the positioning of the carrier head in its normal standbyposition, as will appear more fully hereafter.

The aforementioned fourth carrier or gauge limit switch 116D governsonly the control circuitry for the return of the carrier to standbyposition, there being a fifth and last carrier limit switch 124. FIGURES1 and 5, affixed to the front of the carrier casting 36 in alignmentwith a trip plate fixed on the frame so as to be engaged by theactuating button 124B of said switch on arrival of the carrier at theupper limit of its permitted travel up to fully elevated position in thecutting cycle, said switch being connected, as will appear, in a controlcircuit which effects stoppage of the carrier motor for this purpose.

One of the key-blank dispensing units is depicted in FIGURE 9 andcomprises a base plate surmounted by a back wall 141 and two adjoiningside plates 142, 143, the latter having turned-in flanges 144 spacedfrom each other to afford a vertical guide slot 144A.

Adjustably attached to each of the side plates by pin and slot means 145and a locking wing nut 146- are adjustable magazine wing plates 147 and148, the former having a narrow offset guard flange 147A and the latterhaving a considerably wider offset flange 148A set at .an angle greaterthan 90 to its main plate body, as seen in FIGURE 10, so that themagazine plates and flanges define a blank-stacking cavity 149 ofirregular shape, wider at one side to accommodate the heads of the keyblanks, and narrowing toward the other side to confine the blades orshanks of said blanks, the vertical extent of this cavity beingsufiicient to stack as many as 50 blanks per loading, and the wingplates being shiftable by loosening the wing nuts 146 to confine keys ofdifferent size and shape securely but freely for dispensing displacementby means to be described.

Electromagnetically-actuated means for ejecting the key blanks one at atime from the magazine, FIGURE 11, comprises the provision on a shelfplate 150 beneath the body of a solenoid 151 having a plunger 152conmeeting with a leg 153 depending from an ejector slide plate 154slidingly supported on the base plate 140 and also guidedly supported bymeans of an upstanding flange 155 aflixed thereto above said leg andcarrying a pair of plungers 156 slidably guided through the rear wallplate 141 of the structure, there being a light compression spring 157on each plunger acting to move the ejector plate and hence the solenoidplunger (which may, however, have its own internal spring-not shown) toa normally retracted position (FIGURE 12 also).

On energization of the solenoid, its plunger moves the ejector plateinwardly at the bottom of the magazine to engage and push the lowermostkey blank therefrom for gravitatin-g descent into a delivery chute (notshown) in a suitable calbinet structure in which a bank is situatedcontaining usually 30 or more such magazines, each stocking a differenttype of key blank for selective dispensation in response to selectiveenergization of the corresponding ejecting solenoids, said magazinesbeing mounted on inner wall surfaces of the cabinet by means of a hangerbracket 158, FIGURES -9 and 11, affixed to the rearward wall of eachmagazine unit.

Mounted on an additional shelf bracket 160 beneath each solenoid,FIGURES 11, 12 is a corresponding supervisory switch 161 having anactuating arm 161A disposed in the path of the aforesaid depending leg153 to be pushed by the latter on its inward ejection movement to closea signal circuit to the corresponding one of the gauge relays R-l, R2,R-3, FIGURES 13 and 14.

An EMPTY signalling supervisory switch 164 is disposed near the bottomof the well, formed by the body plates 141, 142, 143, said switch havingan actuating arm 164A exposed through a slot 166 in one of the angledflanges of the sidewall plates for engagement by a follower weight 168having an averaged configuration to fit into all of the irregularconfigurations of the key blank magazine to press down upon the stack ofblanks therein and assure firm disposition of the lower- 7 most blank onthe bottom plate for removal by the ejecting plate as aforesaid (FIGURESl and 11).

The follower weight is provided with a headed pin 169, FIGURE 10, 'whichfits freely into the vertical slot 144A formed by the edges of the twomagazine plates whereby the weight is guided in its downward movement,the weight being further provided with a knurled handle pin 170 on itsouter face which is freely exposed through the gap between the angledmagazine plates for manual engagement in order that it may be elevatedand removed for restocking the supply of blanks.

When the follower and signalling weight descends to a levelcorresponding to the presence of only one key blank remaining in themagazine, it engages the switch actuating arm 164A to operate the switchand actuate certain Empty control circuits and signals, FIGURE 9.

Each type of key blank stocked in the various magazines will have acharacteristic blade or shank width falling within a range of threedimensions for the great majority of the most commonly used keys, and itis this characteristic dimension which the novel dispensing means willsignal to pre-set the hold-down gauging means of the cutting head.

Associated with a battery of such key magazines will be a testing orblank-identifying means, which in one embodiment may take the form of akey barrel 180, FIGURE 13, having a keyway adapted to fit one particularmake or form of key shank or blade. The inner end of the keyway is openso that the nose of the key may protrude if the inserted master orspecimen key 9 The operation of the principal functional components ofthe machine, as described in view of the pictorial and schematicrepresentations in FIGURE 13, begins with the deposit of the requisitesum in the usual cointesting device (not shown) to actuate the coinswitch 230 and the coin relay R-8 which, in turn, pulls in a vend relayR-4 of the latching type serving to establish a power circuit for theensuing cycle, the circuit means and connections for these and otheroperations being described in detail hereinafter in view of FIGURE 14.

Following deposit of the money, the patron fits his master key KM into amatching test barrel 180B, and the nose of the key fully entered thereinwill actuate switch means 184B to energize the ejecting solenoid EJ2which in turn will actuate another switch means 235 to close switchcontacts 235 and energize the appertaining one of the three gauge relaysR2 respectively corresponding to the size of the particular key blankdispensed, which in this example can be assumed to be a padlock keyhaving the Group II blade width characteristic of the average key ofthis type.

The gauge relay R2 is also of the latching type, and will be latched inoperated condition for the remainder of the cycle to control certainresetting circuits in addition to its important function in pre-settingthe gauge head by completing a size-signalling circuit through acorresponding limit switch LM2 to the head motor 38 in the Downdirection thereof, sending the carrier or head 36 from its standbyposition just above the vises to a lower position suitable for theensuing hold-down operations involving a key of the Group II size, thecarrier causing said LM2 switch to open and stop the head motor onreaching this level.

The blank key element delivered by the foregoing dispensing operationswill be retrieved by the patron from a delivery cup in the cabinet (notshown) adapted to house the apparatus in its coin-controlled form, andwill be inserted through a suitable slot therein into the right-hand orblank key vise 44A, the shoulder of the key pressing against the triggerplate 102 to actuate the corresponding trigger switch A and therebycause the gauge cam motor 91 to rotate the cam 88 clockwise and drivethe hold-down shoe 828 down upon the blank and press it into a properhorizontal orientation in its vise, following which one of the controlcams B will actuate its switch means CM-Z to stop this particularoperation of the cam motor.

The patron next inserts the master key KM into the lefthand vise 44,actuating the corresponding trigger switch means 100-101 in like manner,which causes the cam motor to start again and turn the gauge orhold-down cam 88 still farther and drive the left-hand hold-down shoe818 down upon the master key, another one of the control cams 110D thenactuating its switch CM4 to stop the cam motor for the second time withboth key elements now firmly seated down in their vises, this cam switchoperation further actuating a vise control relay, such as the relay R6of FIGURE 14, which will energize the vise motor 57 and cause it to turnthe vise driving screw shafts 43, 43A in a direction to close the twovise jaws 44, 44A upon the keys.

As a further incident of the aforesaid closure of the vises, thesupervisory switches (V-1), 121 (V-Z) effectuate circuits to energizethe head motor 38 to withdraw the head carrier 36 upwardly out of theway to its highest position Where the motor is stopped by the head limitswitch HDL; and concurrently with such withdrawal of the head, the motor64 for the cutting wheel 61, together with the cutter carriage motor 76,are energized,

starting the travel of the cutter toward the blank key while theassociated stylus 96 (FIGURE 5) traces along the notches in the masterkey to duplicate the configurations in the blank.

A third supervisory vise switch 122 (V-3) illuminates an advisory lamp108 from the AC. line terminals P-1, P-2 when the vises are closed asaforesaid to signify that the cutting operation is in progress and willbe terminated when the lamp is extinguished by reopening of the vises,this feature being omitted from the circuitry of FIGURE 14 to simplifythe latter so far as possible.

On reaching the end of its forward excursion, the cutter carriageactuates its forward limit switch 278 (indicated at 78, FIGURE 2)causing a relay means, such as R5 in FIGURE 14, to reverse the carriagemotor and return the carriage back to its home or Back position where itwill actuate the Back or rear limit switch 283A (indicated at 77, FIGURE6) to stop the carriage motor.

Such actuation of the rear limit switch also initiates the terminalresetting operations by energizing all of the reset coils RR-l RR-4 forthe gauge and vend relays, which were latched up at the beginning of thecycle, in consequence of which other control relays, such as a carriagecontrol relay R5 and vise control relay R-6, FIG- URE 14, are droppedout and cause the vise motor 57 to operate reversely to reopen thevises, and to energize the head motor 38 reversely to lower the gaugehead 36 to its standby position at which it will be stopped by thefourth limit switch LM-4, thus concluding the cycle.

Detailed circuit operation FIGURE 14 depicts circuit means forelfectuating the operations of the coin-controlled form of the machinedescribed in view in FIGURE 13, it being assumed that the patrondeposits the requisite coins (e.g. 35) in the usual coin testing device(not shown) which will preferably be of the type holding the deposit inescrow until the vending cycle is properly initiated and thereaftercause the money to be collected, but will return the money in case thesupply of merchandise (key blanks) is exhausted or there is a functionalfailure of some sort.

The deposit of coins will result in closure of coin switch contacts 230,energizing the coil 231 of the coin relay R8 from power supply conductorP-1 from the usual alternating current terminals, and assuming that thepatrons master key which is to be duplicated has a blade widthcorresponding to the Group 11 class of keys, for instance a padlock key,and that it is fitted into a matching test barrel T-2, the nose of thekey will cause closure of contacts 233, 233B (corresponding to switch184B, FIGURE 13) and break a chain connection with contacts 233A in thecorresponding test switch, thereby energizing the corresponding ejectorsolenoid EI2 causing ejection of the proper key blank from acorresponding one of the dispensing magazines as described in view ofFIGURES 9 through 12, as an incident of which the contacts 235 of theappertaining ejector switch 161 (FIGURES 11 and 12) will close andenergize the corresponding gauge relay R2 for the Group II type of key,this relay becoming latched in operated condition to be released only byenergization of a separate reset coil RR-2 at the end of the cycle, itbeing observed that the three gauge relays R-l, R2, R3, as well as thevend relay R4, are all of the latching type, and that there will be asmany of the gauge relays R-1 R-S as there are different types of keysizes to be dispensed in a given machine.

As a result of the foregoing dispensation of a key blank, the gauge orsize-signalling contacts 240 of the corresponding gauge relay R2 closeand apply power from power-supply conductor P1 via conductor 241 toenergize the vend relay coil through the now-closed R8 relay contacts242, thereby closing contacts 243, 243B thereof, also connecting withthe aforesaid power on conductor 241, whereby such power is nowlatched-in to a feed conductor 244 for substantially the remainder ofthe operating cycle.

A further result of this operation of the vend relay switch means is thebreaking of contact 243 with its normal contact 243A to actuate theusual escrow unit of the associated coin-testing device (not shown) toCollect, as indicated, the deposited money in the known manner; and thisin turn causes the coin switch contacts 230 to reopen and drop out theRS coin relay almost immediately.

When the vend relay R4 operates, power is applied via its contacts 243,243B closed, from feed conductor 244, V-1 contacts 252, 252A toconductor 253 commoned to the guage limit switches LM1, LM-2, LM-3, andthence via the now-closed R-2 gauge relay contacts 255 to conductor 256connecting with the Down winding 271 of the head motor 38, causing thegauge head or carrier 36 to descend to the position signalled byactuation of the dispensing unit, which, in this example, will be theposition required for a class II key, this circuit to the head motorbeing quickly opened to stop the motor at this particular position bythe engagement of the corresponding actuating finger 117B on the headcasting (FIGURE 3) with the corresponding limit switch LM-2 to open thecontacts 257 and stop the head motor.

The cutting operation requires insertion first of the blank key in theright-hand blank vise, the key shoulder pressing against thecorresponding trigger plate 101A to actuate the corresponding blankswitch 100A, closing its contacts 246, 246B to set up a chain circuit,beginning with, contacts 247, 247B of the third cam switch CM3 therebyconnecting power from feed conductor 244 to conductor 251 to energizethe Down winding 250 on the gauge cam motor 91, with a resultantdepression of the right-hand gauge block and shoe to press the blank keydown into its vise, as explained in view of FIGURE 13, this operation ofthe cam motor being stopped a first time by opening of the cam switchCF-3 contacts 247, 247B accompanied by reclosure of CM-3 contacts 247,247A, so that the chain circuit is now shifted to and through theleft-hand trigger switch 100 for the Master Key vise.

The insertion next of the Master Key in its vise accordingly closestrigger switch contacts 248, 248B and energizes through CM4 contacts249, 249A and conductor 251, the Down winding 250 of the cam motor onceagain in the same direction, causing the gauge cam to resume itsclockwise rotation and depress the plunger for the left-hand vise topress its hold-down block and shoe against the Master Key, the CM4 camswitch cont-acts reopening almost at once to stop this second operationof the cam motor with proper shoe pressure as determined by the camtiming.

It may be observed at this juncture that, with both key elements nowseated down in their vises and both holddown shoes thus engaged, camswitches CMl and CM-3 and CM4 are now off normal; the CM1 cam switchcontacts 252 now being closed to the Up cam motor winding 253, butwithout effect because the blank-key trigger switch is also off normalat this time, so that if the blank key is withdrawn forcibly at thisstage from its vise, its trigger switch contacts 246, 246A reclose andat once energize said Up winding through CM-l contacts 252 closed, andcause the cam motor to reverse until the CM-1 switch reopens, therebywithdrawing the holddown shoes. Moreover, the same reversal will occurif the master key is withdrawn, because the corresponding triggercontacts 248 will fall back to contact 248A and apply power through CM2contacts 299 closed and likewise energize the Up winding, assuming thatthe blank key remains in its vise. Thus, withdrawal of either or both ofthe key elements will interrupt the cycle and avoid malfunction andinterference with the self-cycling control circuits.

In order to prevent the machine in its coin-operated embodiment frombeing put out of service by being left with the operating cycleincomplete, intentionally or otherwise, as for example by failure toinsert keys after the money is deposited, a guard circuit is provided inthe form of a time-delay switch 190 of the thermal variety connected toeffect closure of certain automatic resetting circuits after a delay ofabout seconds, following the operation of the coin relay R-8, if thecycle does not go forward as by withdrawal of either or both keyelements as aforesaid, or failure to insert one or both keys afterdeposit of the money, this circuit being explained hereinafter inconnection with the normal resetting means.

Assuming that both key elements are now secured in their respectivevises by the sequential insertion thereof and application of thehold-down means by the cam motor, as aforesaid, the vises will now beclosed by energization of the vise motor 57 owing to actuation of thevise control relay R6 by the shiftin of cam switch CM4 contact 249 tocontact 249B to apply power through the aforesaid cam-switch chaincircuit to the coil 260 of this relay, as a result of which the closing(CL) win-ding 265 of the vise motor will be energized by R6 contacts263, 2633, conductor 266, the second vise supervisory switch or V-2normal contacts 267, 267A, closed (-because at this time the vises stillstand open), gauge relay R2 contacts 268, 268A closed, and normalchaincircuit contacts 268C on the R-1 relay to power B.

While power is applied to the closing winding of the vise motor atcontact 265, the brake release coil 60 is energized via conductor 266Xand contacts 281 on the R6 relay. When this motor circuit is broken thebrake will be applied to eliminate over-ride on the vise screws. Asimilar braking action occurs in the opening operation.

When the vises are fully closed, the second of the vise supervisoryswitches 121 or V-2 is actuated to shift contact 267 to contact 267B,breaking the vise motor close circuit at 267A, and applying this powernow via the normally closed special reset switch contacts 295 on RR-7,the normal contact 264A of the head upper limit switch HDL, and viaconductor 269 to the Up winding 270 of the head motor 38 causing thehead carrier 36 to be withdrawn from above the vises to itsfully-elevated condition at which it actuates the upper limit switchHDL, shifting contact 264 to contact 26413 to stop the head motor andstart the cutter motor by applying power via conductor 273 to thewinding thereof, this same power being applied via branch conductor 273Xto the normal contacts 274, 274A of the carriage control relay RS, whichwill now energize the Forward winding 276 of the carriage motor (CXG)via conductor 275 and advance the cutter wheel to engagement with thekey blank and reproduce the code notching of the master key in responseto the tracing of the stylus 96, as previously explained.

Having completed the cutting traverse, the carriage will engage theactuating arm of the forward carriage limit switch and close itscontacts 278, thereby applying power from a branch 244A of the feedconductor to energize the winding 279 of the carriage reverse relay RS,opening its normal contacts 274, 274A, and closing contact 274 withcontact 274B, thereby stopping the forward drive of the carriage motorwhile simultaneously closing another set of R contacts 280 which willapply power from feed conductor 244 via contacts 283, 283B of thecarriage return (back) switch (77) to energize the Back or homingwinding 277 of the carriage motor via conductor 282, it being observedthat while the carriage is away from its home position, said contacts283, 283B are closed, and on reaching home position these contacts willopen and this carriage-return circuit will be broken, whereupon theterminal phase of the cycle is reached with contact 283 dropping back tocontact 283A, applying power through RS contacts 285, 285A, now closed,the normally closed contacts 286, 286A of the special reset relay RR7,and conductor 287 commoned to the three resetting coils RR-l, RR2, RR-3,corresponding to the three illustrative latching gauge relays RI, R2,R3, with the result that the particular relay R2 operated in thisoperational example is released and all R2 contacts are restoredcounterclockwise to their normal positions shown and the final phase ofthe cycle effects opening of the vises and return of the gauge head toits standby position.

On tripping out or release of relay R-Z, relays R-4, R-5, and R6 aredropped out, R4 mechanically as the result of actuation of its trip orrelease coil RR4 from direct power supply B through the gauge-relaychainconnected normal contacts 268C, 268, 268A reclosed, and normalcontacts 268D on R3 to the RR-4 release coil 288, this final dropping ofthe vend relay R4 opening the power-feed contacts 243, 243B to conductor244, which also drops out the holding circuit for relay RS via conductor273X and contacts 274, 274B; relay R6 dropping out through thecam-switch chain circuit because of disconnection of power from feedconductor 244.

When relay R4 drops out, its contacts 290 reclose, thereby energizingthe open winding 300 of the vise motor via LM-4 contacts 291 closed inthe UP position of the head, conductor 292, the contacts 301 of thefirst vise supervisory switch V1, which is closed while the vises areclosed, and will open, again when the vises open. The brake coil 60 willalso be energized again at this time via a branch conductor 292X andnormal contacts 297 on vise control relay R6 dropped, thereby releasingthe brake 5859 on the vise motor during the opening operation.

Meanwhile, the DOWN winding 271 of the head motor will be energized bypower connected directly from the source D through normal contacts 298on the standby limit switch LM-4, now reclosed, and conductor 256, andwhen the carrier reaches the standby position (slightly above the vises)the limit switch LM-4 will be open to stop the head motor, and the cycleis at an end.

The resetting coil RR4 for the vend relay R4 is continually energizedfrom power connection B through the normal chain-connected contacts RlR3, 268C, 268, 268D of the gauge Signalling relays as a guard featurepreventing operation of the machine in case of power failure during theoperating cycle, in which event the machine would reset at once if thepower were turned on again.

For proprietary and servicing purposes, two manual over-ride switchesMRS, VRS are provided for access to maintenance personnel only. Themanual switch MRS has contacts 320 closed by operation thereof andconnected with power source F to energize the coil 324 of the specialreset relay RR7, the operation of which will close R7 contacts 286 withcontact 286B (upper right) to apply power C via conductor 287 toenergize all gauge reset relays RRl, RR2, RR3 and initiate a resettingoperation such as would have been effected by return of the cuttercarriage to Home at the normal conclusion of a cycle as last described,depending upon the position of the gauge head at the time, this sameactuation of RR7 also closing its contacts 272 to apply power E via HDLlimit switch contacts 264, 264B, if the head is up, to start the cuttermotor and energize the carriage control relay R5 to start the carriagemotor forward, in case there has been a main power interruption inmidcycle, thereby causing the cutter to retrace its previous incompletetravel and complete the cycle thereafter in the normal manner.

If, however, the head is not up when RR7 is actuated, then in that caseupper limit switch contacts 264, 264A would be closed to send the headback up again, causing the HDL upper limit switch to close its contacts264 and 264B to restart the cutter and restore the carriage relay R-S toenergized condition to cause a retrace operation of the carriage andcutter and followed thereafter by a normal resetting and opening of thevise, so that the patrons key will be cut and both keys releasednotwithstanding the power interruption.

The other manual over-ride switch VRS is a visereleasing means which isoperable to energize the open winding 300 of the vise motor in case ofcircuit or component failure in order that the patrons key can bepromptly released from its vise. To this end the vise release switchcomprises contacts 305, 305A connecting power from source connection Evia conductor 306 connecting with conductor 292X to said motor winding,it being apparent that operation of this switch at any time when thevises are closed can energize the vise motor directly to release thevise, whereas actuation of the firstmentioned manual over-rise switchmeans MRS initiates the terminal phase of the cycle by tripping out thefour reset coils for the latching relays.

Still another supervisory over-ride means is the timedelay switchpreviously alluded to which may take the form of a thermal relay havinga heater element 194 energized from power connection F and normalcontacts 195 on the Vise Control Relay R6, such that if the machine iscycled in the usual manner, but the patron for any reason fails toinsert the key elements in the vises, for a delay of preferably around180 seconds, in which the relay is not caused to operate, then the delayover-ride switch contact 196 will close and energize the coil 324 of thespecial reset relay RR-7 with the same results heretofore described inconnection with closure of RR-7 contacts 286A and 286B in tripping outthe four reset coils Rl R-4.

The commercial form of the coin-controlled embodiment of the apparatusincludes cabinet illuminating lamps, empty signal lamps associated withthe ejectors, and the usual power line interlock relay, all of whichhave been omitted in order to simplify the circuit diagram of FIGURE 14so far as possible, the cutting-cycle annunciator or cycle in progresslamp 108 being described in view of the schematic of FIGURE 13 for thesame reason and included in its detailed novel cooperation with thevise-actuating mechanism which controls it.

We claim:

1. In a key duplicating mechanism, the combination with vise mechanismfor clamping a key element for the duration of a predeterminedduplicating cycle of operation of duplication means therein undercontrol of a principal control circuit operable to initiate and concludeeach such duplicating cycle, of: cyclically operable gauge mechanismincluding a key-element hold-down means positioned relative to said visemechanism for movement in a hold-down cycle from any of a plurality ofpreselectable starting positions close to the vise mechanism and a keyelement therein, and thereafter into engagement with said key element tourge the same into a predetermined position of alignment at least duringclosure of the vise mechanism until the key element is clamped thereby,and thereafter to effect disengagement of the hold-down means from thekey element at the conclusion of said hold-down cycle and as a functionof conclusion of said duplicating cycle; and additional control circuitmeans for said gauge mechanism cooperable with said principal controlcircuit means and responsive to gauge signals received from a source ofsuch signals for effecting a presettting movement of the hold-down meansto one of said starting positions prior to engagement thereby of the keyelement as aforesaid, and finally to complete and conclude said holddowncycle dependently upon completion of said duplicating cycle.

2. In key duplicating apparatus of the type adapted for use with keyblank dispensing mechanism, means for positioning a master key and a keyblank element relative to a cutting mechanism, comprising: a vise for amaster key, a vise for a blank key, screw means for opening and closingsaid vises; reversible vise motor means reversely driving said screwmeans; a gauge carrier mounted to reciprocate vertically down toward andupwardly away from said vises; reversible carrier motor means forreciprocating the carrier; a key hold-down shoe device for each visesupported thereabove on the carrier, each said device being movableindependently of the other to and from pressing engagement against a keyelement in the appertaining vise; reversible hold-down motor meansmovable with the carrier and having a progressive drivinginterconnection with said hold-down devices to move first one and thenthe other in hold-down action as aforesaid; means for dispensing keyblanks having different critical measurements in a certain dimension;circuit means actuated by each dispensing means to provide a gaugesignal dependently upon which of said critical measurements is presentin the blank dispensed, said circuit means being connected with saidcarrier motor means to energize the same to move the carrier downwardlyfrom a standby position to a gauging position in relation to the visesand related to the particular measurement of the dispensed blank; andswitch means cooperable with said circuit means for deenergizing thecarrier motor means to stop the carrier at any of the requisite gaugingpositions signalled as aforesaid responsive to movement of the carrierinto such positions.

3. A key duplicating machine having vises to receive and clamp a masterkey and a blank key, key-actuated trigger switch means at each viseoperable responsive to receipt of a key element therein, stylus-guidedcutter means mounted on a reciprocable carriage for movement to and fromduplicating engagement with key elements in said vises, and motor meansfor driving the carriage and cutter means in stylus guidedkey-duplicating action from and back to a home position; wherein thereis provided a gauge head vertically reciprocable above the vises andhaving a standby position, a plurality of lowered gauging positions, andan upwardly withdrawn position; reversible head motor means for movingthe head to and from said positions; limit switch means corresponding toeach such head position and operable responsive to movements of the headto such positions and connected in circuit with head motor means forrespectively stopping the head at such positions responsive toenergizations of the head motor means by cycling circuit means; keyhold-down means for each vise and movable with the gauge head andreversely operable in any of said gauging positions to and fromengagement with a key element in the appertaining vise to free or pressthe element down into its vise; reversible gauge motor means carriedwith the head for actuating said hold-down means; vise motor drive meansreversible to open and close the vises; control switch means actuated bythe gauge motor means; and cycling circuit means including incooperative combination a starting switch means establishing aconnection with a source of operating power, gauge switch meansselectively operable to provide gauge signals for said head, carriagelimit switch means actuated by the carriage in an advanced andkey-duplicating position and a home starting position thereof, togetherwith supervisory switch means actuated by the vice drive means in openand closed conditions of the vises and having connection with saidtrigger switch means for initiating a cutting cycle following actuationof the starting switch means and responsive to insertion of key elementsin each of said vises to actuate said trigger switch means and, in theorder named: to actuate said head motor means to a gauging positiondetermined by one of said gauge limit switch means and one of said gaugesignalling switch means; to actuate said vise motor means to close saidvises; to actuate said head motor means to elevate the head to withdrawnposition; to actuate said cutter and carriage motor means to initiate acutting traverse to said advanced position from and back to said homeposition whereby to cut the blank in duplicate of the master key; and toreversely energize the vise drive motor means to open the vises; to stopthe cutter motor means; and to reversely energize the head motor meansto lower the head to standby position in conclusion of a cycle initiatedby operation of said starting switch means.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said key hold-down meanscomprises a plunger mounted on the head and reciprocable toward and awayfrom a corresponding vise, together with key-engaging shoe means movableby each plunger; wherein said gauge motor means includes a reversiblemotor carried by the head and a reversible gauge cam driven thereby, camfollower drive means for each plunger driven by said gauge cam, andmeans acting on said cam follower drive means yieldingly urging saidplungers to withdraw said shoes to a starting position away from saidvises.

5. Mechanism as set forth in claim 4 wherein said holddown meanscomprises a block carried by each plunger and a key-engaging shoethereon of yieldable material of the class of rubber, the shoe adaptedengage the blank key element having a lesser resilience than that of theshoe engaging the master key, and the material of the latter shoe havinga resilience capable of conforming engagement into the codeconfigurations of the master key.

6. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said control switch meansactuated by the gauge motor means comprises a set of cams rotated bysaid motor and cam switch means actuated by each cam and connected inthe cycling circuit means as aforesaid.

7. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said vise motor drive meanscomprises a fixed vise jaw and a movable jaw for each vise; worm screwmeans reversibly rotatable for closing and opening said movable jawsjointly relative to their fixed jaws; reversible motor means and gearmeans driven thereby for reversely turning the worm screw means to openand close the vises by action of the movable jaws as aforesaid, andsupervisory switch means actuated by the drive means in the open and theclosed conditions of the vises for controlling circuits for signallingsaid conditions.

8. Mechanism according to claim 7 wherein said vise motor-drive meansincludes -a gear train inter-posed between said vise motor means andsaid worm screw means, and said supervisory switch means is actuatedbymeans movable with one of the gears in said train.

9. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said machine further includesa plurality of key-blank dispensing devices each operable to eject a keyblank of a given type characterized by a critical gauging dimension,blanks dispensed by some of said devices having different criticaldimensions than those dispensed by other such devices; wherein saidgauge switch means comprises a switch cooperatively associated with eachof one or more said dispensing devices dispensing blanks having the samecritical dimension whereby to provide gauge signals respectivelycorresponding to a particular critical dimension to which the gauge headwill be moved to gauging positions as set forth dependently upOn whichtype of blank is dispensed.

10. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said cycling circuit meansincludes override switch means connected therein for operation followingan operation of said starting switch means but prior to initiation ofthe cutting cycle as aforesaid, to effect termination of the cyclewithout actuation of the trigger swich means.

11. Apparatus according to claim wherein said override switch means is amanually operable switch.

12. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said override switch meansis an electrically-controlled time delay switch connected in saidcycling circuit for operation automatically following operation of saidstarting switch to initiate an operating cycle of the mechanism and atthe conclusion of a predetermined time delay during which said vises arenot closed.

13. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said cycling circuit meansincludes manually operable switch means connected therein for operationto energize the vise motor means directly to effect opening of the visesin the event the latter are closed.

14. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein there is provided a furthersignalling means controlled by said vise motor drive means as a functionof its vise-closing operation to provide a signal persisting for thetime during which said vises remain closed.

15. In a key duplicating machine, the combination with key-clampingvises and reversible vise-motor means driving the same in closing andopening clamping action, motor driven cutting and tracing means, andmotor driven carriage meas moving the cutting and tracing means to andfrom key-duplicating engagement with key elements in said vises, and acycling circuit including a starting switch operable to condition saidcircuit for a cycle of operation to energize said vise motor means andthe motor means for said cutting means, and said carriage means in acycle including in the order named, closure of said vises, displacementof the carriage means to travel the cutting means in duplicatingoperation relative to said vises and the key elements therein andretreat thereform, and termination of the cycle by opening of saidvises, and means for positioning the key elements in their respectivevises prior to clamping action thereof as aforesaid and comprising acarrier movable toward the edges of the respective key elements in saidvises; key engaging means on the carrier aligned with each vise for edgeengagement as aforesaid; reverse drive means operable to move thecarrier toward said key element selectively to any of sevenalpredetermined positions of proximity to the engaged edges of the keyelements; and electrically-controlled, reversely-operable drive meansmoving with the carrier and operable to move the key-engaging means intoengagement with the edges of the respective keys in the correspondingvises; together with circuit means and controlled by said cyclingcircuit for actuating said reverse drive means to engage the keyelements as aforesaid prior to operation of the vise motor means inclosing said movable jaws and to maintain such engagement during theclamping operation of said jaws, and thereafter to withdraw said keyengaging means a predetermined distance away from the vises and restorethe said key-engaging means to a normal starting position on thecarrier.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,323,420 6/1967 Roxburgh --13.05

ANDREW R. JUHASZ, Primary Examiner.

